Viking Legend (11 page)

“What will you do about him?  He is still out there and he strikes me as a malevolent snake.”

“I will send out my ships for news of him.  He likes himself so much that he will surface and when he does I will follow him.” I looked into Wolf Killer’s eyes.  “I fear he will wish to revenge himself upon me and he may strike here.”

“Do not worry, father, I have some of my oathsworn who watch what I love as closely as I.”

“Good.  We have fought for what  we have. We do not give it away to those who would steal and live on the endeavours of others.”

Sigtrygg arrived the day after my son.  He felt guilty that he had not stopped the Saxons travelling through his land.  “Sigtrygg Thrandson, take it as a sign that your land is strong and our enemies will not risk your wrath.”

He seemed satisfied with that.  “My drekar will be ready soon.  I will keep her along the Lune and then I can raid after the snows.”

“Let Wolf Killer and I know when you do so.  We will keep watch on your lands for you.”

“You have done more than enough for me Jarl Dragonheart.  I needs must stand on my own feet.”

I shook my head, “When a child learns to walk it needs a parent to be close by for he will fall.  Until you and your people are strong enough let us be your parents. The stronger you are then the stronger we become as a people.  I want our people to last beyond my death.”

Both Wolf Killer and Sigtrygg looked concerned and I laughed, “I do not intend to die but I am no longer a young man and I want to make plans.”

As I went out to play with Ragnar I saw them deep in conversation.  I had made them think about a future without Jarl Dragonheart and that was no bad thing.

In the end I spent four days with my son and then he allowed me to go home with an escort of ten warriors.  I thought that was too many but both he and Elfrida insisted.   I called in at Finn’s farm.  He smiled when I asked about Thora.

“She has iron in her that one.  She and Sven have returned to Graythwaite. They have my blessing.”

I nodded, “This is
wyrd
. I am happy.”

“Thank you Jarl.  You are a good man.  I knew it before but now I see it as clearly as a sunrise over Windar’s Mere. You care about people and that is a rare thing in a great man.”

When we reached Graythwaite there was no sign of the Saxons bodies.  I said nothing but I could see that Sven had taken charge. Thora looked happy and they both kissed my hand.  “We thank you, Jarl Dragonheart.  We have been of your people all of our lives but it was not until you rode through this valley that we realised what a thoughtful man you are.” Sven nodded, “My sons will fight for you.”

“Sons?”

Sven laughed, “Many sons and, perhaps a daughter or two.”

I had a homecoming like no other. All of
Cyninges-tūn, it seemed, turned out to greet me.  I was touched. Kara, Brigid and Aiden looked particularly concerned.  After the welcome, which went on for some time I was taken into my hall where Kara, Aiden and Brigid closely examined my wound.  “I am not something to be poked and prodded.”

“You could have died! Fighting four men! Without armour! What were you thinking?”

It was in that moment that I saw the difference between Brigid and Erika.  Erika would not have shown me her feelings but Brigid lived with every emotion on display. I could not have chosen two such different women to be my partner. When the three were happy that my wound was healing I had to tell them all.

Aiden nodded. “It is good that your son takes more responsibility.”

Kara smiled, “You should be able to take life easier.”

“Why?  Am I different now from the warrior who went to Hibernia to fetch you back or travelled to Ynys Môn to rescue you and Elfrida?  The day I stop being Dragonheart is the day I will die. I am what I am and I cannot change my nature.” I shrugged, “I do not think you would wish me to change that nature either, would you?”

They looked at each other and Brigid, laying her hand on mine said, “No.  We would not change one hair on your head.”

I determined to regain my former strength and I worked each day with Snorri and Haaken.  I did so without armour. I had been too slow when I had faced the Saxons.  None of them had any skill and I had allowed one to get behind me.  I could almost hear the scorn in Old Ragnar’s voice. I would be ready, when the snows which had yet to fall had melted. I knew what I had to do.  I had to find Magnus the Foresworn and end his life.  The Saxon outlaws were like the bites of the lice; they were annoying but they would not hurt us.  Magnus had the power to tear my land apart for he was of our people. He was now my enemy.

As the winter drew close Asbjorn along with my son and their warriors returned from their raid.  They had struck the lands of Mercia.  With Wolf Killer’s ship with them they should have had great success but they had lost warriors and although they came back with treasure it was not the wealth we had brought back from Ynys Môn.  Both Wolf Killer and Asbjorn were unhappy when they came to my hall.

I knew that they were comparing themselves to me.  They had chosen a strong enemy to raid. “The Mercians have fought us many times.  It is to be expected that they would prepare for an attack from us. You brought back grain and animals.  We will eat and they will starve.  Some of your warriors died but those who survived are stronger. We are wolves and not sheep.  The sheepdog will take a wolf now and then but we will still succeed more than we fail.”

The first snows came soon after the return of the drekar. We became an island surrounded by a wall of ice. We retreated into our halls.  That winter we had plenty of food and wood and we prospered. I took solace from the fact that my decisions appeared to have been the right ones. It was, thankfully, not a wolf winter. We heard none howl.  That was fortunate for there were no warriors who were ready to hunt the wolf and become Ulfheonar.

Brigid became larger as my son grew within her.  I had no doubt that it was a son for the spirits never lied. Kara kept a close eye on her.  Wolf Killer had been estranged when Ragnar was born and she would be able to see this nephew born. I knew there would be a close bond.  It was unlikely that Kara would ever bear children and yet she yearned for one. Kara showed how much this meant to her for she encouraged Deidra and Macha to celebrate the White Christ feast with Brigid.  When I asked her about it she shrugged and said, “We call  it Yule.  If they wish to celebrate the birth of a baby a thousand years ago then it is no bad thing is it?”

My son was born twenty one days after the shortest day of the year. He was healthy and he was large.  Kara had seen many babies born and she commented on his size. “He will grow to be a huge and mighty man.“ As Brigid nursed him my daughter asked, “What will you name him?”

I had not thought about it.  I had no preferences and I looked helplessly at Brigid.  She smiled, “Since I knew he was to be a boy I had but one name in my head.  There were many at my father’s court who were unkind to me but I had an uncle who always gave me affection and made me laugh.  With your permission I would name him Gryffydd in his honour.  And, I hope, yours.” I nodded.  She kissed his head and then added, “I dare say you pagans will change it and call him Gryffydd the Mighty or, “ she stroked his head, “the Bald but to me he shall be Gryffydd son of Dragonheart.”

I smiled, “Let it be so.”

Brigid changed a little that day. She was a mother now and that became her life.  It was not that I was ignored, I was not, but she spent each waking, and I dare say sleeping moment, thinking about our son. She doted on him. I suspect that was one of the reasons he grew so quickly and so well. Infants, especially those born in the winter, often did not see the end of the month in which they were born. Gryffydd was the exception. Another reason that she threw herself into motherhood was the fact that I was busy. We would be raiding once the weather improved.  With Sigtrygg’s new ship ready we would have four drekar.  Nowhere would be safe from our wrath.

I woke each day to the sound of Bjorn’s hammers as he and his smiths worked from dawn until dusk making the helmets and swords which my young men had ordered.  A Viking does not feel dressed unless he can face an enemy with a helmet, shield and sword. A spear is a temporary weapon until he can afford better.

Before we could raid I had to visit Úlfarrston.  We had need of trade with  Thorfinn Blue Scar on Ljoðhús and we still had some of the treasures from the Welsh which Coen ap Pasgen could sell in Lundenwic. This time I went with Aiden and Haaken.  My days of travelling alone were over. My shoulder which now ached when the air was damp was a constant reminder of the dangers of being alone. Now that I was a father again I spoke with Haaken about his children.  He now had two girls and a boy. At first he had not taken to fatherhood but, as he became older, he had grown into it.  He saw his blood ensuring his line in the future.

“Aiden, why have you not taken a wife?”

“I do not know.”

“You enjoy women do you not?” I knew there were some men who did not care for the company of women.

“I like women but none has touched me yet the way the Lady Erika and Brigid have touched you. Perhaps I am meant to be alone as your daughter Kara is.”

“Then that is sad for our world would be better for more children like Kara and Aiden.”

It was not often that I could make Aiden keep silent and think but, that day I did. I was just making conversation but oft times such idle words are like a pebble being knocked from the top of a mountain.  By the time it reached the bottom it has caused an avalanche.

As I passed the shipyard Bolli was just completing the work on Sigtrygg’s drekar. Bolli looked pleased. “Has he named it yet, Bolli?”

“No Jarl and I hope that he will do so soon.  A ship does not like to be nameless.  She needs love and she needs attention.  A good drekar is like a wife, she performs best when she knows she is needed.”

“Fear not Bolli I know he is eager to sail and I would expect him any time soon.  The other drekar are at Úlfarrston?”

“Aye Jarl.  Erik led them there when the last of the snow went. He prefers the sea to the river.  He says it is better for his ship.”

We left to ride the short way to the coast. There the three drekar bobbed up and down on the sea with four knarr close by. It seemed the ships were all keen to be away. Siggi and the other knarr captains had all been trading during the winter. They took advantage of the times when the weather was clement and made short journeys only.  They went to Dyflin and to Ljoðhús as well as some of the other islands close to Ljoðhús, for our good standing with Thorfinn helped make new trading partners. They all had news for me. 

We gathered in Coen’s hall for the news was of interest to us all. It was Siggi who spoke for them. “The Scots and the Picts are pushing west.  The men of Ljoðhús and the Norse on the other islands have ever sent them back but they seem keen to retake the islands.  Thorfinn Blue Scar want as many swords and helmets that we can take.”

“I will speak with Bjorn but I am interested why there is this pressure.”

“It seems that the King of Northumbria, Eanred is pushing west too.”

Haaken asked, “I thought they were a spent force.”

“They were Haaken.  When Eardwulf and Aelfwald fought for the throne they bled the warriors of Northumbria dry and the land appeared weak.  Since Eanred has succeeded to the crown he has been building up his forces and hiring warriors. He cannot defeat Wessex and so he expands to the north and west.”

“Then I must send a warning to both Ketil and to Arne.  Their land borders both the land of the Scots and Northumbria.” I shook my head, “I had thought we were safe from any Northumbrian incursion.  It has been many years since they attempted to take from us. How does he pay for his hired men?  It was not a rich kingdom.”

Coen’s captain, Raibeart, smiled, “The same way we make gold, Jarl. He has many monasteries and they sell the Holy Books that the monks make and sells them in Lundenwic and in Frankia.  The warriors come from both Frankia and Lundenwic to serve this Saxon king in the north. He pays well.  It is said he even has some warriors who fought against the Eastern Emperor.”

As I headed back with Aiden and Haaken I pondered this development.  Perhaps we might risk a long and hazardous voyage around the north of Britannia and raid the monasteries. If the monks were producing such numbers then we might profit from them. I sent riders to all of my jarls when I reached home and I had my Ulfheonar begin to recruit the warriors we would take on our raid.

Kara shook her head as she saw the young men all practising.  “It is well that our womenfolk are so hardy and handy.  They have to raise children and farm for the young men do not wish to soil their hands with earth.  They wish to bathe in blood.”

“It is the way of our people, Kara.  You know that.”

“Aye, and it is well that so many children survive here to replace the dead.”

It was fourteen days later and we had just gathered the men to begin the journey to Úlfarrston when a rider galloped in.  “Jarl Dragonheart I come from Jarl Ketil.   He is under attack. There are Saxons assailing his eastern farms.” I nodded, “And there is more.  Amongst them are Vikings.  Magnus the Foresworn has returned. The Jarl managed to gather his people in the stronghold and I left before he was surrounded.  I barely made it with my life. There are enemies all around. They are ravaging the land.”

That treacherous snake had never been far from my mind and I had hoped to find him and end his life.  Now, it seemed, he had come to me. “We march north to Ketil’s stad.” I turned to the rider.  “Rest for a while and then follow us. I may have need of you. Kara send a rider to Wolf Killer and ask him for some of his warriors.  I will meet him at Ketil’s fort.”

It was thirty miles to the Roman fort Ketil used as his stronghold.  He had repaired the stone walls and deepened the ditches.  It was as strong as my fort.  We would pass Windar’s Mere and Ulf’s Water.  We could pick up more warriors. I hoped that we might reach Ketil with a hundred men but it would take a whole day and
Gói was not long passed.  The day would be a short one and the weather cold. I berated myself in my head.  I was wasting time arguing with myself.